Ligurian Kale Pie Torta Di Verdura Recipes

LIGURIAN KALE PIE (TORTA DI VERDURA)

Steps:

• Place the greens in a large pot. Add 3 cups of water, cover and set over medium heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted. Transfer to a colander. Once cool, wring out the greens to remove as much water as possible.
• Using a standing mixer fitted with a dough hook, mix the flours and 2 teaspoons salt until combined. Add 1 cup cold water and 1/4 cup olive oil and mix on medium speed for 8 minutes. (You can also mix by hand: Using a wooden spoon, combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl, then stir in the wet ingredients until combined. Transfer to a floured board and knead for 10 minutes.) Divide the dough into 2 equal pieces and let rest for at least 10 minutes. (The dough can be refrigerated for up to 1 day.)
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place half of the greens in a food processor and pulse until the pieces are about the size of a grain of rice. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. Repeat with the remaining greens. Process the scallions and herbs to a rough paste and mix into the greens. Stir in the egg, cheeses, 3 tablespoons olive oil and nutmeg. Season to taste with salt.
• Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Flour a flat surface and roll one of dough balls into a circle about 16 inches in diameter, 1/8- to 1/16-inch thick, and lay it on the cookie sheet. Scoop the filling onto the dough and spread it evenly to 3/4 inch from the edge. Add more flour to the surface, roll out the second ball of dough and drape it across the filling. Trim the top layer so it hangs over the filling by 1/2 inch. Pinch together the layers. (If the dough doesn't stick, moisten the edges with a little water.) Slash two vents into the top of the pie and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Bake until the pie is slightly puffy in the center and the filling has set, 40 to 50 minutes. If the top crust browns too quickly, cover it with foil. Cool before eating. It will keep 3 to 4 days at room temperature. If refrigerated, warm the slices in a skillet before eating.

TORTA VERDE (CHARD AND RICOTTA PIE) - LIGURIA

Steps:

• Mix the flour and salt and drizzle the oil in, mixing with a fork.
• Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough holds together.
• Knead for 15 minutes until the dough forms a soft, smooth, and elastic ball. If the dough is too wet use floured hands to add a bit more flour until it is no longer sticky. If the dough is too hard then sprinkle a bit of water on the dough and work to combine the water. Cover with a wet towel for 2 hours.
• Oil a metal cake tin with olive oil. (If the tin is not metal, then the pastry might be soggy.)
• Divide the dough into two balls with ⅔ of the dough in one ball and ⅓ of the dough in the other ball. Roll out the larger ball on a floured surface stretching it with your hands to 38 cm in diameter and place into the prepared cake tin.
• Heat the oven to 190C.
• Strain the ricotta cheese.
• If using beet greens or chard, cut the ribs out. Wash the leaves well and cut finely with 1 ½ tablespoon of salt sprinkled over top and let sit for half an hour.
• Squeeze out the leaves to remove any moisture as you want the greens as dry as possible.
• Sprinkle the greens with 20 grams of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and marjoram.
• Stir to combine.
• Heat a large sauté pan and put 60 mls of the olive oil in the pan. When the oil is hot, reduce the heat to low and add the onion.
• Cook the onion for 5 minutes or until soft.
• Add the sliced artichokes and 100 mls of water (if you are using frozen artichokes then turn the heat up to medium) and cook until the artichokes are soft (about 10 minutes) and the water has evaporated and then season with salt and pepper.
• Add the prepared chard, beet greens, and/or spinach leaves.
• Cook until the greens are soft and add the lemon juice and 60 mls extra virgin olive oil. Remove from the heat.
• In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs and milk until the milk is absorbed.
• In another bowl, add the 4 eggs with 20 grams of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
• Beat the eggs and cheese together.
• Add the strained ricotta to the eggs. Mix together.
• Use a wooden spoon to mix the breadcrumbs and the egg mixture together.
• When the greens and artichokes are cool, add the egg breadcrumb mixture.
• Stir to combine and add 80 mls of extra virgin olive oil .
• Mix well.
• Evenly spread the filling into the cake pan with prepared crust with 1 inch of the crust hanging over the edge. Top the filling with some butter, salt and pepper, and 20 grams of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
• Roll the smaller ball to 32 cm and place on top of the filling. Wet the edge of the bottom crust and fold and crimp the edges. Pierce the top of the crust with a fork, using your finger to make indentations, drizzle 20 mls of olive oil over the top.
• Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy.